Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies BA

Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries are among the most diverse and dynamic in the world.

This four-year degree will allow you to reach a high level of proficiency in Spanish and Portuguese, while exploring the vast, diverse and dynamic cultural areas where these two languages are spoken.

You’ll develop your language skills through core modules, while being introduced to key areas of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American culture and history.

Optional modules will allow you to explore these vibrant regions through topics such as postcolonial literature, Latin American cinema, the African diaspora and nationalist movements in Spain. You’ll be able to pick up practical skills such as translation or specialised language for business purposes.

This four-year degree includes time abroad in both a Spanish-speaking and a Lusophone country.

Specialist facilities

The official cultural institutes of the governments of Spain and Portugal – Instituto Cervantes and the Camões Institute – have branches on campus, as does the cultural arm of the Catalan autonomous government, Institut Ramon Llull.

This means you can participate in many cultural events such as Leeds Flamenco Cultural Week, attend poetry readings and film screenings, and take part in competitions and events.

Our Language Zone gives you access to free learning resources, including space for personal study, language learning software, and video, audio, books and magazines. You'll also have access to our translation computer labs equipped with specialist software and our interpreter training booths.

With four libraries on campus, you’ll find space for study, group work and research. The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. You’ll have access to free classes and workshops so you can learn how to use them

You’ll consolidate your written and spoken Spanish in your first year and you’ll begin to learn the Portuguese language. You’ll also study key issues relating to the history and cultural production of Brazil, Portugal and Portuguese-speaking Africa. Optional modules will introduce you to the culture and history of the Spanish-speaking world.

From your second year, you’ll continue to develop both languages while selecting from a broader range of optional modules, on topics such as the literature and culture of the Portuguese-speaking world, Spanish regional identities and Latin American history since independence. You’ll also begin your time abroad, usually spending a term towards the end of second year in a Spanish-speaking country, before spending your whole third year in a Portuguese-speaking community to sharpen your skills and experience the culture first-hand.

When you come back to Leeds, you’ll continue to refine your language skills with advanced language modules, but you’ll also choose modules split across Spain, Spanish-America, Portugal and Brazil to pursue a broad base of interests. Some of your modules will be taught in Spanish/Portuguese.

You'll demonstrate the research and critical skills you have developed with your Final Year Project, an independent research project produced under the guidance of an expert academic.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We also various types of assessment. Exams and essays are a significant part of this, but in some modules you may also be assessed on components such as group work, reports, or oral presentations. We offer support in these areas as well – for example, we run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam techniques that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB including A in Spanish.

Other course specific tests:

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required. This course has additional subject specific requirements. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• BTEC

  We will consider the level 3 QCF BTEC at Subsidiary Diploma level and above in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  M1, M1, M2 including M1 Spanish.

• International Baccalaureate

  34 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 in Higher Level Spanish

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 including H2 in Spanish

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR B in Advanced Highers or AAABB in Highers OR AABBBB in Highers

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate: 75% including 8.5 in Spanish.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level including B in Spanish and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £20,750 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

With the rise of economies like Mexico and Brazil, Spanish and Portuguese are seen as important languages for business. But they’re also major world languages that are spoken across the globe.

Alongside language skills, you’ll also build important transferable skills that are highly sought by employers.

You’ll have developed research and critical skills, allowing you to find information from a range of sources and draw your own conclusions from what you find. Your advanced communication and presentation skills will enable you to explain and defend those views. You’ll also have experience of working in a team, and your time abroad will demonstrate you are independent and adaptable.

Graduates have gone onto work in a range of sectors, both within and beyond the UK. They include education, IT, retail, marketing, administration, the civil service, translation and tourism.

Others have studied for a postgraduate qualification in translating or interpreting to pursue language-based careers or continued to study language or culture to Masters level, either for a PhD and career in academia or to further their knowledge.

We are committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions. The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies careers and employability support includes promoting internships, providing opportunities to work for the School and employer-led workshops and events.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

This degree includes time abroad in both a Spanish-speaking and a Lusophone country.

Normally, you’ll spend the last term of your second year in a Spanish-speaking country, leaving you a full year to spend in Portugal, Brazil or another Lusophone country, or vice versa.

Study abroad

We have partnerships with a number of universities in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Chile, Costa Rica, Portugal and Brazil where you could study for your year abroad.

Work experience

Alternatively, you can choose to gain valuable work experience - you could undertake a work placement or even become a language assistant in a school under the British Council’s programme (note, the Language Assistantship is only available for Spanish, not Portuguese language).

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.